Two Worlds. Sheila, a nosy neighbour
by gosia_ielts7 on March 4, 2008
in stories, students
I was sitting in the window observing the yard as usual. A typical day, nothing special, children playing, bored youngsters hanging around. Suddenly I saw this impressive car which parked just near our building. ‘Must be somebody from … you know, outside’, I thought at first, ‘cause one of us could never afford such a car, perhaps if we robbed a bank or something, you know’. When a couple got out, I had no doubts, they were definitely not us. They looked so different, you know, good-looking, stylish, as from our favourite magazines. A few days ago my kids mentioned that television was going to come here to interview somebody, but it was in passing, and I didn’t take it seriously. Now it was quite obvious.
The man … a little bit plump, wasn’t that handsome, but, you know, his camera made him attractive. The woman, oh … she got this television look, but she wasn’t very pretty either, just well-groomed.
They were looking around, with some disgust in their eyes, stepping quickly, being so careful and kind of … afraid, you know. I hate it when strangers visit us, they show so much hidden scorn. There was something in their walk, in the way they moved, something that was saying – ‘we are better’.
And guess what? They came up to our staircase! Obviously, I have half-opened the door, you know me, I couldn’t help. I hoped to overhear some details, but they weren’t very talkative. But, you know, the face is a picture, that grimace of disgust, they were definitely displeased. And I’m not surprised, our staircase stinks, but come on … it’s not a chemist’s?!
And … They knocked on the 6! They were going to interview Smiths! Frankly, I think they were mostly interested in Rosie. Oh … in fact Rosie is a pretty, young girl, truly, attractive enough for a TV programme. But, you know, I wouldn’t have let them in, I hate when they, the outsiders, are lamenting on our lot. I don’t believe in their good intentions. What are they making all those programs for?! Has any helped us? In fact nobody could help us, no-hopers. We are like the sentenced, the way we live, you can’t do much about it. Things are as they are, I have no illusions, there is no “American dream”, definitely not for us.
I simply feel sorry for Rosie, poor girl … they come, make her believe something will change, and leave the next day. As always.